Pencils are the perfect art tool because kids can confidently draw and write without worrying about permanent markings. At least, that’s true on paper. On walls, however, graphite can be harder to remove!
However, we shouldn’t avoid letting our kids participate in art because of the likelihood of a mess. Art supports a child’s cognitive, social-emotional, and multisensory development. Plus, it fosters tons of powerful memories that you and your little one can share forever!
But if you’re still worried about pencil marks on your walls, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of ways to remove the graphite. Here’s how to get your wall clean after a pencil craft mishap:
HOW TO CLEAN PENCIL OFF WALLS
Rubber Eraser or Gum Eraser
The first method of removing the pencil is pretty straightforward. Try the tool specifically designed for getting graphite off of things - a rubber eraser or an art gum eraser!
Both types of erasers are made to remove pencil marks without damaging the surface, so always try that first!
Dish Soap
Dish soap and a damp cloth are another way to remove graphite without rubbing the paint off your walls.
Use a microfiber cloth, get it wet, wring it out, and add a few drops of dish soap. Then, scrub away at the pencil! (This can work to remove crayon marks, too!)
As a warning, you might find the degreaser in the soap cleans your walls even better than expected, leaving an obvious spot where you applied the dish soap. You may end up cleaning the whole wall!
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent can also be a helpful hack for getting more stubborn pencil marks off the wall. Use it the same way you use dish soap, but swap out the soap for the detergent.
Remember, detergent is a little stronger and harsher than dish soap, so try it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t remove your paint!
Toothpaste
You’ll find non-gel white toothpaste is a mom’s secret weapon stain remover, especially as you dive into the world of sensory play! It can get food coloring, permanent markers, crayons, and more off of surfaces!
Just add a few globs of toothpaste to a clean rag, and rub a thin layer over the stain. Leave it for about 5 minutes, and then scrub it off. Hopefully, that does the trick!
Baking Soda
Anytime you’re trying to remove a stain, baking soda should be on the list of stain fighters to try! It’s gentle but effective!
To use it for pencil marks on walls, make a paste using 1 TB of baking soda and ½ TB of water. Then, use a clean cloth to rub the paste into the stain. Then, gently wipe away the excess baking soda!
Magic Eraser
As much as I love Magic Erasers and believe in their status as the Holy Grail of household cleaning tools, they’re not my favorite things to use on walls.
Magic Erasers will get your pencil stains off, but if you have to rub too hard, the paint can come off too. So, test it out on an unseen area of the house first, and if it works okay, just gently rub the eraser into the stain instead of scrubbing to avoid ruining the paint.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Something like 409, The Pink Stuff, or Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner and a clean cloth can go a long way to get a number of stains off your walls, including pencil marks!
Paint
If you want a sure-fire way of removing marks without damaging your walls, touch-up paint is a quick and easy way to refresh your walls right away. Color match your wall and grab a quart of paint that you keep handy anytime you have a new stubborn stain.
Removing pencil marks from the wall is simple with these methods!
Pencil marks on walls don’t have to spoil your afternoon of crafts, positivity, and good memories. Use these methods to clean up the mess that follows fun and start planning your next project!
With the Mothercould in Your Pocket resource and the Mothercould blog, you can find dozens of crafts and activities to do with your child. Each one offers your child a unique sensory experience and the opportunity to express themselves through art!
There are lots of reasons to participate in sensory play and art projects, and the potentially messy aftermath shouldn’t deter you from sharing the experience with your little one. Let’s let loose, have fun, and remember we can easily clean up a few pencil makers here and there!